Welcome to Chicago’s premier chess tournament for students in grades K-12

Open to all players from the Midwest and beyond in grades 12 & below

*** INDIVIDUAL & TEAM TROPHIES ***

The Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, Kasparov Chess Foundation, Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess program, and SBB Research Group are excited to invite players from across the Midwest to compete in the 15th Annual Greater Chicago K-12 Championships—the largest and most prestigious USCF-rated tournament in Chicago.

This tournament is open to all students up to grade 12, with competition divided into the following sections: Primary (K-4), Elementary (K-6), Junior High (K-8), and High School (K-12).

Thanks to the generous support of SBB Research Group and Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess, we are pleased to offer no-cost entry to Chicago Public School students and those from Title I low-income and under-resourced schools. Please note that registration must be completed online by noon on January 29.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to compete in a premier chess tournament!

As the City of Chicago’s official chess championship, the top individual & team from Chicago, in each of the championship sections, will be recognized as the City Champions.

Tournament

WHEN

February 21, 2026

WHERE

McCormick Place South Building – 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 – PLEASE NOTE we will be on the 4 & 5th floor of the South building in 2026.

McCormick Place is the largest and most flexible use convention center in North America. Located on Chicago’s lakefront, just minutes from downtown and facing one of the most iconic skylines in the world, the McCormick Place campus provides world-class facilities for the tournament.

FORMAT

Championship sections: 4-Round, Swiss System, Game/40, d5
Reserve & Novice sections: 5-Round, Swiss System, Game/25, d5

SCHEDULE

Championship sections: Rounds: 10:00, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30
Reserve & Novice sections: Rounds: 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 3:30 & 5:00
Awards: 6:30

SECTIONS / AWARDS

Primary (K-4 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 600 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools
  • Novice: open to players rated Under 300 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools

Elementary (K-6 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 800 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools
  • Novice: open to players rated Under 400 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools

Junior High (K-8 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 1000 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools
  • Novice: open to players rated Under 500 – Trophies top 8 players, top 3 schools

High School (K-12 Grades)

  • Championship: open to all – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools
  • Reserve: open to players rated Under 1100 – Trophies top 5 players, top 2 schools

Top 4 players added for team scores, team members must attend the same school, club teams are not allowed

Any player who scores 4 or more points and doesn’t win a trophy will receive a medal!

RATINGS USED

For pairing purposes we will be using the January rating supplement.

ACCELERATED PAIRINGS

Accelerated Pairings may be used in a section with over 100 players.

BYES

A single half-point Bye is available any round, to include the final round. If the Bye is requested for Round 1, it must be requested as part of the advance entry or online by 4 pm on the day before the tournament starts. If the Bye is requested for a later round, it must be requested before the published start time for Round 1. 0-point byes shall be available for all rounds. The Chief TD shall have the ability to grant a 1/2-point bye for any round on unusual circumstances, except the last round.

REQUEST BYE

Registration

It is the player’s responsibility to verify that their registration has been successfully completed and their name appears on the ADVANCE ENTRY LIST.

Our registration system automatically sends a confirmation email to the address provided on the registration form. Once registration is finalized, the player’s name will be added to the ADVANCE ENTRY LIST. Please ensure you receive the confirmation and check the list to confirm your entry..

ADVANCE ENTRIES

You can view the list of advance entries using the button below.

VIEW ADVANCE ENTRIES

ENTRY FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS & LOW INCOME – UNDER RESOURCED SCHOOLS

Thanks to the support of SBB Research Group and Chicago Public Schools Academic Chess we are able to provide no cost entry to Chicago Public School students and students from Title I low income – under resourced schools. Registration must be done online by 1/28. Contact us at info@renaissanceknights.org for details.

US CHESS MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PLAYERS

Purchase / renew your US Chess Membership at https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess

TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEE

  • $ 50 online thru 1/19
  • $ 65 online thru 2/9
  • $ 85 online thru 2/19
  • No entries allowed after 2/19 or onsite
REGISTER NOW

WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS

Online only . $20 refund fee per player if requested by 2/19. Refunds for withdrawals are processed within 10 business days.

WITHDRAWAL

SECTION CHANGE

Online only by 2/19, $20 fee after 2/11. No onsite section change allowed.

SECTION CHANGE REQUEST

Playing Site

WHERE

McCormick Place, 2301 S King Dr Chicago, IL 60616. IMPORTANT: Our new location is inside the South Building on the 4th & 5th floor.

McCormick Place is the largest and most flexible use convention center in North America. Located on Chicago’s lakefront, just minutes from downtown and facing one of the most iconic skylines in the world, the McCormick Place campus provides world-class facilities for the tournament.

BUS DROP OFF/PICK-UP

TBA

CAR DROP OFF/PICK-UP

TBA

PARKING

See McCormick place website for price and details.

FOOD

Concession food sales will be available onsite

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